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Mission

The Jubilee Fund advocates economic opportunity for all members of society, through ethical and socially responsible financing of community economic development initiatives.

Vision

The Jubilee Fund sees a future in which equitable economic opportunities are available to all members of society.

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Loan Guidelines
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Board Members
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SISTARS Community Economic Development Co-op Inc. (Sisters Initating Steps Towards a Renewed Society) was formed in October 2004 and incorporated in April 2005 by sixteen women who wanted to make a change for themselves and others in the Point Douglas neighbourhood.

Their first project was to conduct a community survey about the issues area women faced.  The women sat down together to write the survey and then went door-to-door to personally interview the residents.  In their survey of 225 families, most women in the area indicated they had no one to take care of the children outside of school hours.  The committee felt a day care located in their neighbourhood where they could take their children would be their first priority.

Armed with the results of the survey they approached the provincial government with a five point plan to assist Point Douglas women and their families have a brighter future.  It was acknowledged, in addition to having a daycare, the women needed more education and training to help them get off social assistanace and obtain better paying jobs.

The Church of the Open Door on 137 Euclid Avenue was the only location in the area to say "yes" to having the daycare operate on their premises.  With perseverance and government assistance, a two year license was obtained for the daycare with spaces for forty children ranging in age from twelve weeks to twelve years (176 children were on the wait list).  In addition, they were able to obtain funding to provide two years of education and two years of career training for the women to become certified childcare workers.  It is envisioned that many of these women will work for SISTARS Daycare once they are certified.

Another challenge the local residents faced was decent affordable housing.  A non-profit housing co-operative was formed to purchase and rent local housing to the residents that are part of the program.  If the tenants after completing the program are employed and able to carry a mortgage, the house will then be sold to them. 

The Jubilee approved a loan to SISTARS to purchase a house in 2007 that became part of a newly formed non-profit housing co-op.  The house was sold in July, 2009 to a local resident.

In speaking with Linda Bradley, she indicated they have 40 active volunteer members who meet on a regular basis.  The members are involved with speaking at meetings and conferences, lobbying government and writing proposals.  They are reviewing plans to build a SISTAR'S Daycare and Senior's Drop-In Centre at the historic Barber House site (which was destroyed by fire several years ago).  They plan to repair the outside so that it retains its historic significance.  When Bradley was asked what drives the group she answered, "We have dream sessions.  We want to make the projects as close to the dreams of our residents."

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